Integrated services user part (ISUP) /session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway for unlicensed mobile access (UMA) emergency services call flow

ABSTRACT

An ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented to encapsulate SS7 location requests from a switched telephone network into an Internet protocol SIP message including one or more location objects. The ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIP positioning center (VPC) to provide support of unlicensed mobile access (UMA) voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing, e.g., for E9-1-1, 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc. The disclosed location objects that are encapsulated into a SIP message includes calling party number, called party number, CGI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), mobility indicator, and/or access point MAC address. At the SIP/ISUP gateway, SS7 integrated services user part (ISUP) location request messages are encapsulated within SIP. The SIP encapsulated location request message is then routed over the Internet to a destination VoIP positioning center (VPC).

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/699,862, filed Jul. 18, 2005, entitled “IntegratedServices User Part (ISUP)/Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Gateway ForUnlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Emergency Services Call Flow”, to DonMitchell, the entirety of which is explicitly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless telecommunication. Moreparticularly, it relates to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) E9-1-1call flows supporting unlicensed mobile access (UMA).

2. Background of the Related Art

Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) is the Third Generation Partnership(3GPP) standard for cellular and wireless fidelity (WiFi) convergence.The UMA specifications are publicly available, e.g., from the UMATechnology web site (www.umatechnology.org) as well as from the 3GPP website (www.3gpp.org).

The UMA effort was initiated by leading operators and vendors in thewireless industry, with a goal of developing a set of technicalspecifications for extending mobile voice, data and IP MultimediaSubsystem (IMS) services over broadband IP and Wi-Fi access networks. OnApr. 8, 2005, the specifications were officially incorporated into 3GPPRelease 6, making UMA the true global standard for cellular/Wi-Ficonvergence. The UMA effort has been a tremendous success, havingdeveloped a new global communications standard in a period of less than15 months.

For mobile operators, Wi-Fi had been viewed as somewhat of a threat.Now, UMA provides a secure, managed IP connection established between amobile handset and the operator's core network. Thus all of anoperator's mobile services (voice, data, and IMS) are available to thesubscriber when connected via Wi-Fi. In addition, with UMA, active voicecalls and data sessions are automatically handed over between networksas subscribers come in and out of range of WLANs. Thus, with the use ofUMA, Wi-Fi no longer poses a threat to mobile operators because theymaintain control of their subscribers and services even when connectedvia Wi-Fi.

The current UMA E9-1-1 standard calls for E9-1-1 calls NOT to beprocessed over the IP network but instead to be transitioned to a GSMTDM call flow. However, the present inventors have realized that this isa problem because of the high potential for such a transitioned E9-1-1call to be dropped. Needless to say, a significant number of droppedemergency calls are problematic and the source of potential liabilitiesto an operator.

Some GSM carriers have followed different implementations of the UMAE9-1-1 call flow. For instance, at least one carrier (e.g., T-Mobile™)has implemented an approach utilizing a serving mobile location center(SMLC). Unfortunately, disadvantages with such conventional solutionsinclude the fact that switching E9-1-1 calls back to a time divisionmultiplexed (TDM) system may cause those calls to drop in houses havingpoor cellular coverage.

There is a need for a more reliable handling of emergency calls that useUMA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method andapparatus for providing location based support to a call made via a UMAnetwork comprises encapsulating a location request with respect to acall from a UMA phone. The location request is received by an ISUP/SIPgateway and encapsulated in a SIP message. The SIP encapsulated locationrequest is passed to a VoIP positioning center.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anarchitecture link between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIPpositioning center (VPC) to support location based services comprises anSS7 based ISUP/SIP gateway. The ISUP/SIP gateway is operable toencapsulate a received location request into an Internet Protocolmessage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow through an ISUP/SIP gatewayimplemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIPpositioning center (VPC), in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from an ISUP/SIP gateway usinginband or out of band access point MAC address to address lookup, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or an E5+ position determination entity (PDE) lookup, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or an Lg PSL for location lookup, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or a WiFi location query, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or MPC Lg interface to the MSC lookup, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or E5+, or Lg interface to the MSC lookup, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows exemplary call flow between a wireless mobile station, aUMA network controller (UNC)/mobile switching center (MSC), an ISUP/SIPgateway in accordance with the present invention, a VoIP positioningcenter (VPC), and a public safety answering point (PSAP)/emergencyservices network equipment (ESNE).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

An ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented to encapsulate SS7 location requestsfrom a switched telephone network into an Internet protocol SIP messageincluding one or more location objects. The ISUP/SIP gateway isimplemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIPpositioning center (VPC) to provide support of unlicensed mobile access(UMA) voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing, e.g., forE9-1-1, 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc. The disclosed location objects that areencapsulated into a SIP message includes calling party number, calledparty number, CGI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),mobility indicator, and/or access point MAC address. At the SIP/ISUPgateway, SS7 integrated services user part (ISUP) location requestmessages are encapsulated within SIP. The SIP encapsulated locationrequest message is then routed over the Internet to a destination VoIPpositioning center (VPC).

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an application-layer controlprotocol that is conventionally used to establish, modify and terminatemultimedia sessions or calls over the Internet. These multimediasessions include multimedia conferences, Internet telephony and similarapplications. SIP is one of the key protocols used to implement Voiceover IP (VoIP).

The popularity of SIP-ISUP gateways that interwork between the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) and SIP networks has motivated thepublication of a set of common practices that can assure consistentbehavior across implementations. An important basic requirement of thesecommon practices is that the SIP telephone network be featuretransparent with respect to the PSTN.

At a SIP-ISUP gateway, signaling system number 7 (SS7) integratedservices user part (ISUP) messages consistent with the PSTN areencapsulated within SIP in such a way as to not discard in the SIPrequest information necessary for services. The encapsulated message isthen routed over the Internet to a destination VoIP device.

However, after the service information is encapsulated within the SIPrequest, intermediaries like proxy servers that make routing decisionsfor SIP requests cannot be expected to understand ISUP. Sosimultaneously, some critical information is translated from an ISUPmessage into the corresponding SIP headers to indicate how the SIPrequest is to be routed.

The present invention implements an ISUP/SIP gateway, but not in aconventional manner to pass SS7 signaling from a switched telephonenetwork over the Internet. Rather, the present invention implements anISUP/SIP gateway between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIPpositioning center (VPC) to provide support of unlicensed mobile access(UMA) voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing, e.g., forE9-1-1, 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc.

While disclosed with respect to embodiments providing an E9-1-1solution, the principles of the present invention are equally applicableto applications outside of emergency services, e.g., 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc.

FIG. 1 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow through an ISUP/SIP gatewayimplemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIPpositioning center (VPC), in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, a dual-mode phone user makes use of awireless device including a dual-mode phone user agent 110. Wirelesscommunication is established with a UMA network controller (UNC) 114 viaa WiFi access point 112. An emergency call is routed to a mobileswitching center (MSC) 102, which in turn routes the emergency call to apublic safety answering point (PSAP) 118 via a selective router 116.

The dual-mode phone user provisions the dual-mode phone via a suitableuser provisioning system 128. Location based services are provided by aVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104, an automated location identification(ALI) 120, a validation database (VDB) 122, master street address guide(MSAG) 124, and location information server/subscriber line database(LIS/SLDB) 126.

Importantly, an SS7 based ISUP/SIP gateway 100 is implemented betweenthe MSC 102 and the VoIP positioning center 104. The ISUP/SIP gateway100 in accordance with the present invention converts ISUP IAMparameters to SIP V6 parameters, the V6 interface being per NENA i2definitions. In the opposite communication direction the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 converts from V4 parameters to ISUP signaling, the V4interface being per NENA i2 definitions.

In the ISUP/SIP gateway 100, a WiFi access point hexadecimal MAC addressis converted into decimal format and transmitted in an ISUP initialaddress message (IAM) parameter. In a preferred embodiment, a flag isincluded to indicate locateability of the handset or softphone.

Using the ISUP/Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) gateway 100, a wirelesscarrier is able to integrate their message servicing center (MSC) 102across an SS7 network using standardized V6N4 i2 call flows via ISUPsignaling from ISUP loop-back trunks to a switching control point (SCP).

The MSC 102 implements translations that support i2 emergency servicesquery key (ESQK)/emergency services routing number (ESRN) based callflows to an emergency services routing key (ESRK)/Trunk Select type callflow. The MSC 102 also preferably supports last routing option (LRO) i1based call flows. The MSC 102 also preferably supports modified LRO toan operator routing support service (ORSS) (i.e., a private call center)i1 call flow.

This combination of ISUP (per ANSI) loop-trunks with V6/V4 standardizedcall flows provides a reliable solution to the UMA E9-1-1 problemotherwise incurred with conventional systems.

A wireless carrier offering dual-mode (WiFi/TDM) handsets can integratetheir WLAN based E9-1-1 call flows from a standard MSC platform to aVoIP E9-1-1 VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104. This enables a wirelesscarrier to support civic/metro street address guide (MSAG)-qualityaddress data with respect to the PSAP 118.

The wireless carrier may also implement mobility/nomadic support fortheir WiFi based call flows by implementing delivery of an access pointMAC address across ISUP loop trunks, and by implementing software in therelevant wireless handsets to collect WiFi access points for anout-of-band location calculation.

As shown in step 1 of FIG. 1, the user provisions their current locationaddress connected to their phone number or identity via a networkedconnection.

In step 2, the user location and phone identity data are transmitted toa database via an internetworked connection, and stored there. Theconnection between the user provisioning system 128 and the locationinformation server (LIS)/subscriber line database (SLDB) is referred toherein as a business-to-business (B2B) interface (generally XML).

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller 114 over VPN onthe Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN).

In step 5, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126. The interface betweenthe VoIP positioning center 104 and the ALI 120 may be, e.g., E2+, NENAor PAM compliant. E2+ is an ALI mobile positioning center (MPC)interface defined in the 3GPP2 J-STD-036 standard. NENA and PAM are twoother existing industry standard ALI-MPC interfaces.

In step 7, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a failback.

In step 8, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 9, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms a queryto the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 2 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from an ISUP/SIP gateway usinginband or out of band access point MAC address to address lookup, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 2, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 1 a, the user location and phone identity are transmitted to adatabase via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 2, the user provisions their current location address connectedwith their access point MAC address.

In step 2 a, if not already transmitted in step 1 a, the user locationand phone identity data are again transmitted to a database via aninternetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 2, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, inband delivery of the access point MAC address in decimal isadded to inband delivery using the generic digits parameter (GDP).

In step 5, the access point MAC address is converted from hexadecimal todecimal. This is passed as a 15-digit emergency services routing digit(ESRD) in the ISUP IAM Leg1 parameter.

In step 6, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 7, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 8, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 9, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 10, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms aquery to the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 3 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or an E5+ position determination entity (PDE) lookup, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step I of FIG. 3, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 2, the user location and phone identity data are transmitted toa database via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 3, inband delivery of the CGI (or equivalent) is added to inbanddelivery using the generic digits parameter (GDP).

In step 5, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 6 a, the LIS/SLDB 126 sends a GPOSREQ over an E5+ interface tothe position determination entity (PDE) 302. With E5+, the switchingcontrol point (SCP) assigns an E.164 by lookup on SS7 point code. A BSICor CGI will also be passed. This assumes that the GSM radio is on nearcall initiation.

In step 7, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 8, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 9, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms a queryto the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 4 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or an Lg PSL for location lookup, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 4, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 2, the user location and phone identity data are transmitted toa database via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an-assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 4, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, inband delivery of the CGI (or equivalent) is added to inbanddelivery using the generic digits parameter (GDP) and internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

In step 5, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 6a, the LIS/SLDB 126 sends a location request to the MSC 102over Lg. The communication (Lg provide subscriber location (PSL) (3GPP))needs international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) & mobile stationinternational ISDN number (MSISDN).

In step 7, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 8, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 9, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms a queryto the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 5 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or a WiFi location query, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 5, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 2, the user location and phone identity data are transmitted toa database via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 5, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the embodiment ofFIG. 5 includes inband delivery of the mobile indicator, and optionallythe AP MAC address.

In step 5, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 6 a, the LIS/SLDB 126 sends a location request to the WiFipositioning system server 502.

In step 7, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 8, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 9, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms a queryto the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 6 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or MPC Lg interface to the MSC lookup, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 6, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 2, the user location and phone identity data are transmitted toa database via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 6, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 6, inband delivery of the CGI (or equivalent) is added to inbanddelivery using the generic digits parameter (GDP) and internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

In step 5, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 6 a, the VPC 104 sends a location request via E2+ to theGMLC/MSC 102.

In step 7, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 8, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 9, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms a queryto the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

In another embodiment, the validation database (VDB) validates thesubscriber location address and assigns an MSAG address for delivery tothe PSAP 118 to support the ALI query.

FIG. 7 shows an example location based UMA VoIP E9-1-1 basic call flowarchitecture using NENA i2 call flow from ISUP/SIP gateway access pointMAC address and/or E5+, or Lg interface to the MSC lookup, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 7, the user provisions theircurrent location address connected to their phone number or identity viaa networked connection.

In step 1 a, the user location and phone identity are transmitted to adatabase via an internetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 2, the user provisions their current location address connectedwith their access point MAC address.

In step 2 a, if not already transmitted in step 1 a, the user locationand phone identity data are again transmitted to a database via aninternetworked connection, and stored there.

In step 3, when the user makes a call that needs location based routing(like 9-1-1) from a WiFi network 112, the call progresses from theirdual-mode UMA phone 110 to the UMA network controller (UNC) 114 over VPNon the Internet.

In step 4, calls from UMA subscribers on a WiFi network that requirelocation based routing are translated to an assigned ISUP loop-trunk. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 7, the IAM outbound message contains the callingparty number (CgPN) and called party number (CPN). This is the same aswith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the required delivery technique is dependent upon the locationtechnique used.

In step 5, the access point MAC address is converted from hexadecimal todecimal. This is passed as a 15-digit emergency services routing digit(ESRD) in the ISUP IAM Leg1 parameter.

In step 6, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 translates the ISUP IAM parametersinto SIP Invite parameters.

In step 6 a, the LIS/SLDB 126 sends a location request to the MSC 102over Lg or over an E5+ interface to the position determination entity(PDE) 302 (PDE). With E5+, the switching control point (SCP) assigns anE.164 by lookup on SS7 point code. A BSIC or CGI will also be passed.This assumes that the GSM radio is on near call initiation.

In step 6 b, alternatively, the VPC 104 sends an E2+ request to theGMLC.

In step 7, the VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 assigns routing basedupon the location retrieved from the LIS/SLDB 126.

In step 8, the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 receives routing instruction fromthe VoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 and sends a routing key (e.g.,ESQK) and a trunk select code (e.g. ESRN); or sends last routing option(LRO) as a fallback.

In step 9, the MSC 102 egresses the call based upon ESRN and sends ESQKto the selective router 116, which then routes to the PSAP 118.

In step 10, the PSAP customer premises equipment (CPE) then forms aquery to the ALI 120. The ALI 120 then steers that query to the VoIPpositioning center 104 based upon the ESQK and its steering tables. TheVoIP positioning center (VPC) 104 responds with location (address)information.

FIG. 8 shows exemplary call flow between a wireless mobile station 110,a UMA network controller (UNC) 114/mobile switching center (MSC) 102, anISUP/SIP gateway 100 in accordance with the present invention, a VoIPpositioning center (VPC) 104, and a public safety answering point (PSAP)118/emergency services network equipment (ESNE).

In particular, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 8, a call invoke message ispassed from the MS 110 to the UNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 2, an initial address message (IAM) with the calling partynumber (CgPN) is transmitted from the UNC 114/MSC 102 to the ISUP/SIPgateway 100.

In step 3, an invite message including the calling party number (CgPN)is passed from the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 to the VoIP positioning center(VPC) 104.

In step 4, an invite message is passed with the ESRN(TS) and ESQK fromthe VPC 104 to the ISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In step 5, an initial address message (IAM) is sent with GDP(ESQK orlast routing option (LRO)), calling party number (CgPN)(callback number)from the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 to the UNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 6, a call setup message IAM [GDP(ESRK), CgPN(Callback#)] is sentfrom the UNC 114/MSC 102 to the PSAP 118.

In step 7, an ACM message is sent from the PSAP 118 to the UNC 114/MSC102.

In step 8, an ACM message is sent from the UNC 114/MSC 102 to theISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In step 9, a 180 ringing message is sent from the ISUP/SIP gateway 100to the VoIP positioning center 104.

In step 10, a 180 ringing message is sent from the VPC 104 to theISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In step 11, an ACM message is sent from the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 to theUNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 12, an ANM message is sent from the PSAP 118 to the UNC 114/MSC102.

In step 13, an ANM message is sent from the UNC 114/MSC 102 to theISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In steps 14 and 15, a 200 Ok message is exchanged between the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 and the VPC 104.

In step 16, an ANM message is sent from the ISUP/SIP gateway 100 to theUNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 17, the call is established between the mobile device 110 andthe PSAP 118.

In step 18, an ESPOSREQ[ESRK, POSREQTYPE] message is passed from thePSAP 118 to the VPC 104.

In step 19, an esposreq[POSINFO, POSRESULT] message is passed back fromthe VPC 104 to the requesting PSAP 118.

In step 20, the call is released.

In step 21, to effect the release of the call, an ISUP REL message ispassed from the mobile device 110 to the PSAP 118.

In step 22, an ISUP REL[. . . ] message is passed from the UNC 114/MSC102 to the ISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In steps 23 and 24, a Bye message is exchanged between the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 and the VPC 104.

In step 25, an ISUP REL[. . . ] message is passed from the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 to the UNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 26, call releasing is performed.

In step 27, an ISUP RLC [. . . ] message is passed from the UNC 114/MSC102 to the PSAP 118.

In step 28, an ISUP RLC[. . . ] message is passed from the UNC 114/MSC102 to the ISUP/SIP gateway 100.

In steps 29 and 30, a 200 Ok message is exchanged between the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 and the VPC 104.

In step 31, an ISUP RLC[. . . ] message is sent from the ISUP/SIPgateway 100 to the UNC 114/MSC 102.

In step 32, release of the call between the mobile device 110 and thePSAP 118 is complete.

Benefits of the invention include lower cost of integration of VoIPE9-1-1 into a carriers existing wireless infrastructure.

The invention has particular application with consumers using UMAenabled dual-mode (e.g., WiFi/GSM/CDMA) handsets. It also hasapplicability in the development of ISUP/SIP Gateways, and isnon-application specific.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method of providing location based support to a call made via a UMAnetwork, comprising: encapsulating a location request with respect to acall from an unlicensed mobile access (UMA) phone, said location requestbeing received by an ISUP/SIP gateway and encapsulated in a SIP message;and passing said SIP encapsulated location request to a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) positioning center.
 2. The method of providinglocation based support to a call made via a UMA network according toclaim 1, wherein: said UMA phone is a dual-mode phone.
 3. The method ofproviding location based support to a call made via a UMA networkaccording to claim 2, wherein: said dual-mode phone is capable ofinitiating said call via a WiFi network.
 4. The method of providinglocation based support to a call made via a UMA network according toclaim 1, wherein said encapsulated location request comprises: a callingparty number.
 5. The method of providing location based support to acall made via a UMA network according to claim 1, wherein saidencapsulated location request comprises: a calling party number; and acalled party number.
 6. The method of providing location based supportto a call made via a UMA network according to claim 1, wherein saidencapsulated location request comprises: an access point MAC address. 7.The method of providing location based support to a call made via a UMAnetwork according to claim 1, wherein said encapsulated location requestcomprises: calling party number; called party number; and access pointMAC address.
 8. The method of providing location based support to a callmade via a UMA network according to claim 1, wherein said encapsulatedlocation request comprises: calling party number; called party number;and CGI.
 9. The method of providing location based support to a callmade via a UMA network according to claim 8, wherein said encapsulatedlocation request further comprises: access point MAC address.
 10. Themethod of providing location based support to a call made via a UMAnetwork according to claim 1, wherein said encapsulated location requestcomprises: calling party number; called party number; CGI; andInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).
 11. The method ofproviding location based support to a call made via a UMA networkaccording to claim 1, wherein said encapsulated location requestcomprises: calling party number; and mobility indicator.
 12. The methodof providing location based support to a call made via a UMA networkaccording to claim 11, wherein said encapsulated location requestfurther comprises: access point MAC address.
 13. The method of providinglocation based support to a call made via a UMA network according toclaim 1, wherein said encapsulated location request comprises: callingparty number; CGI; and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).14. An architecture link between a mobile switching center (MSC) and aVoIP positioning center (VPC) to support location based services,comprising: an SS7 based ISUP/SIP gateway, said ISUP/SIP gatewayoperable to encapsulate a received location request into an InternetProtocol message.
 15. Apparatus for providing location based support toa call made via a UMA network, comprising: means for encapsulating alocation request with respect to a call from an unlicensed mobile access(UMA) phone, said location request being received by an ISUP/SIP gatewayand encapsulated in a SIP message; and means for passing said SIPencapsulated location request to a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)positioning center.
 16. The apparatus for providing location basedsupport to a call made via a UMA network according to claim 15, wherein:said UMA phone is a dual-mode phone.
 17. The apparatus for providinglocation based support to a call made via a UMA network according toclaim 16, wherein: said dual-mode phone is capable of initiating saidcall via a WiFi network.
 18. The apparatus for providing location basedsupport to a call made via a UMA network according to claim 15, whereinsaid encapsulated location request comprises: a calling party number.19. The apparatus for providing location based support to a call madevia a UMA network according to claim 15, wherein said encapsulatedlocation request comprises: a calling party number; and a called partynumber.
 20. The apparatus for providing location based support to a callmade via a UMA network according to claim 15, wherein said encapsulatedlocation request comprises: an access point MAC address.
 21. Theapparatus for providing location based support to a call made via a UMAnetwork according to claim 15, wherein said encapsulated locationrequest comprises: calling party number; called party number; and accesspoint MAC address.
 22. The apparatus for providing location basedsupport to a call made via a UMA network according to claim 15, whereinsaid encapsulated location request comprises: calling party number;called party number; and CGI.
 23. The apparatus for providing locationbased support to a call made via a UMA network according to claim 22,wherein said encapsulated location request further comprises: accesspoint MAC address.
 24. The apparatus for providing location basedsupport to a call made via a UMA network according to claim 15, whereinsaid encapsulated location request comprises: calling party number;called party number; CGI; and International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI).
 25. The apparatus for providing location based support to a callmade via a UMA network according to claim 15, wherein said encapsulatedlocation request comprises: calling party number; and mobilityindicator.
 26. The apparatus for providing location based support to acall made via a UMA network according to claim 25, wherein saidencapsulated location request further comprises: access point MACaddress.
 27. The apparatus for providing location based support to acall made via a UMA network according to claim 15, wherein saidencapsulated location request comprises: calling party number; CGI; andInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).